4 years in the past, Cambridge Audio dominated the sub-£500 marketplace for hi-fi electronics.
The corporate’s most up-to-date efforts have been strong moderately than spectacular, nevertheless, now’s nearly as good a time as any for a brand new CD participant (and matching amp) to take centre stage.
Engaging design and nice end
Stacked collectively, the 651C CD and partnering 651A amp make a sexy pairing (though we all the time suggest inserting package on a devoted rack – and that’s how we examined this twosome).
For the cash, construct high quality and end are wonderful, with strong, chunky fascias on each parts and wrap-around metallic covers including the ending touches.
The 651C has a big dot-matrix show on the entrance, and its excessive degree of distinction makes it good and simple to learn.
Like the corporate’s DacMagic, the 651C supplies three completely different audio filters to assist tweak the sound. Inside, you’ll discover a toroidal energy provide, a very new DAC design, and a CD transport fitted with further bracing to assist maximise the quantity of knowledge being learn off your discs.
Impressively participating efficiency
One of many perks of getting a number of parts from the identical firm is having the ability to use a single distant management. The Azur wand is sweet to make use of, if a bit of lengthy within the hand, whereas the round D-pad is springy and responsive, and allows you to play, skip tracks and alter the amount.
The 651C delivers music in a splendidly open and spacious method. Spin Beyoncé’s Child Boy and the roomy soundstage affords the weighty bassline and zingy strings loads of area to breathe.
There’s diploma of positive element served up too,whereas rhythmically the participant merely laps up the tempo of this extremely charged monitor.
Nonetheless, change to one thing extra demanding by way of subtlety and finesse, and the 651C doesn’t fairly hit the identical requirements. With Diana Krall’s I’m An Errand Woman For Rhythmtiming will get a bit of out of kilter and also you don’t get a way of the dynamic highs and lows of her vocal or the fervent piano-playing.
The monitor sounds a contact flat in contrast with shut rivals such because the Marantz CD6004.
There’s loads of enchantment to this matching pair. They appear the half and work properly collectively to supply a grand sound that isn’t quick on scale.
They’re not essentially the most refined sounding machines and bass can get a bit tubby, however on the entire, this pairing is a covetable sufficient set-up.
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